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Jaclyn

♀ Girl

Pronounced JAK-lihn /ˈd͡ʒæk.lɪn/Medium

Meaning: Holder of the heelMedium

In 30 seconds: Jaclyn is an English girl's name, a streamlined respelling of Jacqueline, ultimately meaning 'holder of the heel'.
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningHolder of the heel
U.S. rank (2024)#2722 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births63 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1988
Total births (all-time)≈ 49,569

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198819232024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Jaclyn is an English form of Jacqueline, whose chain back through the masculine Jacob carries the old meaning 'holder of the heel'. The spelling drops the French letters in favor of a phonetic look, which is why it pairs naturally with relatives like Jacquelyn and Jacklyn.

American actress Jaclyn Smith, of Charlie's Angels fame, gave the spelling much of its visibility. The name keeps the two-beat rhythm of Jacqueline while feeling more casually American on the page.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Jaclyn is 'holder of the heel', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Jaclyn — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

JacalynJacklynJacquelineJacquelynJaqueline

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Jaclyn Smith (1945–present)
    American actress, Charlie's Angels.

If you like Jaclyn…

Jacqueline— The full French original that Jaclyn streamlines, sharing its exact meaning and root.
Jacquelyn— A listed variation of Jaclyn with the same pronunciation and 'holder of the heel' sense.
Jacklyn— A near-identical respelling of Jaclyn from the same Jacqueline family.
Jaqueline— A variation of Jaclyn closer to the French Jacqueline form.

Frequently Asked

What does the name Jaclyn mean?

Jaclyn is usually explained as meaning 'holder of the heel' and is most often linked with English tradition.

How do you pronounce Jaclyn?

It's commonly said JAK-lihn /ˈd͡ʒæk.lɪn/.

Is Jaclyn a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Jaclyn is used as a girl name.

How popular is Jaclyn?

In 2024, Jaclyn ranked #2722 in the U.S. for girls, with 63 births recorded.